Luis Robert Jr.’s 2023 season has come to a close.
Prior to tonight’s series opener vs. the Diamondbacks, the White Sox announced they placed their All-Star center fielder on the 10-day injured list with a mild MCL sprain in his left knee. As a result, the team selected the contract of outfielder Tyler Naquin from Triple-A Charlotte.
Robert Jr., 26, originally left Sunday’s game at Boston in the second inning with an apparent injury. The team says his estimated recovery time with rest and rehabilitation is roughly 2-4 weeks.
The Cuban native established career highs in nearly every offensive category this season, hitting .264/.315/.542 (144-for-546) with 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBI, 90 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and an .857 OPS in 145 games. Robert Jr. ranks among the American League leaders in home runs (2nd), extra-base hits (2nd, 75), slugging percentage (3rd), total bases (5th, 296), OPS (T6th), and doubles (7th).
Robert Jr. is the only player in MLB this season to record 35-plus doubles, 35-plus homers, 80-plus RBI, 90-plus runs scored, and 20-plus stolen bases. He is also the only player in White Sox history to hit 35-plus doubles and 35-plus home runs and steal 20-plus bases in a single season. Robert Jr.’s 38 homers are a franchise record by a center fielder, the most by an outfielder since Jermaine Dye (44) in 2006, and the most by a Sox player since Todd Frazier (40) in 2016.
On the other side of this roster move, Naquin is hitting a combined .257/.317/.408 (63-for-245) with 10 doubles, nine home runs, 30 RBI, 19 walks, and 31 runs scored in 68 games between Triple-A Nashville in the Milwaukee organization and Charlotte. He was acquired by the White Sox on August 7 from the Brewers in exchange for cash considerations
Naquin is a career .264 hitter with 61 home runs, 237 RBI and 226 runs scored in 557 games over seven major-league seasons with Cleveland (2016-20), Cincinnati (2021-22), and New York-NL (2022).
In other news, the White Sox say they have transferred right-handed pitcher Jimmy Lambert to the 60-day injured list.
Lambert, who has been on the injured list since September 4, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle on September 20. He is expected to fully recover in 2-3 months, the team says, which means he should be ready to go for Spring Training.
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Featured Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
